The Portland daily press., 1887-09-05
psRrlsANsHiP. AND REFORM.
what Commissioners oberIy and "
man Found at Chicago.
Democratic Doctrine as Administered
BY Collector seberger.
The Rights Of office Holders to Ex-
press their Political Opinions.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4-The Civil Service
Commission has submitted to the President
their report of the investigation of the com
plant of George A. Webster against Antho-
nv <. Seberger, collector Of Chicago. and
transmitted to the President by the Civil Ser
vice Reform League of Chicago, and by him
referred to the commission, charging viola
tions of the civil service law. The report
consists of the 'opinion of the commission.
signed by Commissioners Oberly and Lyman.
report to the commission by Commissioner
Oberly, and another by Commissioner Ly
man, who confines himself principally to the
testimony submitted at the investigation.
The opinion of the commissioners says that
the complaint of Webster is, in substance,
that he was compelled to resign his place in
the appraisers Office of the Chicago customs
district, not because of being inefficient, un-
dutiful, insubordinate, dishonest, or for any
other good cause, but because he was a Re-
publican and the collector desired to put a
Democrat into the place. In the complaint
Webster says that the collector informed him
that no complaint was urged against his Off
cial conduct and ability, which were excel
lent, but that, owing to great pressure" it
was necessary that vacancies should be made;
that the collector said, "You must remember
our party has been out of power 25 years,
and should be thankful for having been al
lowed to stay two years under Democratic
administration" Webster, the opinion con-
tinues, was compelled to resign. Collector
Seberger stated that the request for his resig-
nation was made for reasons, amply strong,
and he had acted in strict conformity with
the civil service law, as he understood it. In
the testimony before the commissioners, Sc
berger denied having said anything to Web
ster that could be construed into declara-
ton that the request for his resignation was
prompted by political reasons. The reasons
for removal, said Seberger, were in my own
mind and keeping" These he refused to
state. The opinion observes, that while Sc
berger states emphatically he did not say to
Webster that his resignation had been de-
manded for political reasons, he did not in
form him that such were not the reasons.
Attention is called to the fact that Web
ster was not given the benefit of the law
which requires the heads of executive de-
partments in making reduction to retain
orably discharged soldiers or sailors. Web
Ster is an hOnorably discharged and wound
ed soldier. He passed the civil service GUS
toms examination with an average of 80 per
cent. His conduct and capacity was salts
factory during his probationary term. He
was promoted for faithful and efficient ser
vice, and his competency Collector Sober
ger does not deny. Offensive partisanship
is not shown by the testimony. In the aft
davit, Webster swears he was never a poll
tician, never attended caucus or cOnven-
tion as delegate, and but once as a spec
tator. He had, however, strong, honest po-
lltlcal views, always held in quiet, gentle
manly way. keeping always. in view
the right of others who might differ.
These strong political views, says the opin-
ion, Webster had right to entertain and
during the time he held public place it was
his right to give at proper times, strong ex-
preston to those views The opinion Is not
to be tolerated, that, because man occu-
pies place in the classified civil service, he
must therefore surrender his right to take an
interest in the politics Of the country. No
good citizen will do so. No degree Of actiy-
ity in effort to advance the interest of the
party opposed to the administration should,
provided his partisan activity in no way i'll
terferes with his public duties, render inse
cure in the service the position of any per-
son VINO does not occupy a place, the dis
charge of the duties of which affects public
policies. The opinion suggests that il the
rule which obtains in the Treasury Depart
ment requiring reason to be given for
every dismissal or forced resignation were
observed in the administration of all
branches of the executive civil service,
there would be no difficulty in arriving at
speedy and definite conclusions on COM
plants of the kind Under consideration.
While appointing officers have the right to
retain within their own minds and keeping
reasons for removals made by them, they
may abuse their power with shameful impun-
ity and in abuses of this kind remain un-
challenged.
The opinion criticises what it terms Com
missioner Edgerton's evident attempt to
justify Collector Seberger in his refusal to
permit the reasons for demanding Web
ster's resignation to escape his 'own mind
and keeping" and the position taken by
Commissioner Edgerton, that the rule re-
quiring the reasons for such removal would
result in restriction of the power Of re-
moval, is pronounced untenable. The prac-
tlce now in vogue in the Treasury Depart
ment and in the Chicago Postoffice is cited in
support of this position.
The opinion maintains that there is no
cause why reasons should not be given for
removals. The removal of q good man,
every way competent, without good cause,
should subject the making of the removal to
the right OF the commissioners to make in
VesugatlOns of the kind conducted at Chica-
go, against the right and policy of which,
commissioner Edgerton makes objection.
Inc opinion says such investigations result
In the good of the service, in the correction
OF wrong methods and some times in disclo-
sure OF evasions and violations of both the
law and the rules.
In conclusion, the commission expresses
dissent from Commissioner Edgerton's CEN
sure OF the civil service reform leagues and
9ooocid1.Oh, anu particularly OF INC ClFli
Service Reform Leauge of Chicago, and says
lts observation has discovered no purpose in
any OF them to antagonize the administration
or to, In any way, embarrass it in the en-
forcement OF the civil service law and rules.
On the contrary, all such leagues and associ-
ations have shown most earnest desire to
support the commission in the discharge OF
its duties. The report-of Commissioner Edg-
erton states that he was opposed to the in
vestlgation in the Webster case because the
commission had no legal right to act in such
was denied in toto by CollectorISsberger, be-
cause the law had not been violated and the
cause was pressed by the Chicago Civil Ser
vice Reform League to Embarrass the Dem
ocratic administration and make campaign
goes on at length to support these statements
and condemns Snoh nordnnf In tho Civil Ser